Carol Abaya, M.A., of Marlboro, will present a special SAT prep course in writing and critical reading. Most high school juniors take the SAT to gain acceptance to the college of their choice. The six-week, 36-hour program will begin July 6 at the JEI Tutoring Center, 45 N. Main St. (Route 79), Marlboro. Seats are limited. Call 732-866- 9099 for more information.
The federal Health Care Reform Bill mandates considerable changes in the way businesses provide health insurance to their employees. Although all the aspects of the Health Care Reform Bill President Barack Obama signed into law will not be fully implemented until 2014, many provisions are already taking place.
James Stenger, director of business development of BenefitMall, will review the timelines for the changes and what companies must do to be in compliance, at the June 10 meeting of the Jersey Shore Association for Human Resources, 8-10 a.m. at Jumping Brook Country Club, Neptune.
The registration fee and a full buffet breakfast is $25 for JSAHR members; $35 for nonmembers; and an additional $5 for walk-ins. To register, call Kathi Evans at 732-244-8892.
Howell Chamber of Commerce will present a Business After Hours event at The Provident Bank, 4074 Route 9 south, Howell, on June 17. All are welcome to attend for networking and light refreshments courtesy of The Provident Bank in Howell. The event is free to members; prospective members are welcome to attend for $5 and are encouraged to take advantage of promotional membership incentives the chamber is currently offering. Details: 732-363-4114.
The Provident Bank celebrated the grand opening of its newest branch in Freehold Township at 3514 Route 9 south on April 24. Freehold Township Mayor Dorothy Avallone cut the ribbon and Provident President and CEO Chris Martin presented donations to the Township of Freehold Fire Department, Freehold Township Police Benevolent Association Local 209 and Freehold Center Partnership. Throughout the day, visitors tried their luck at Provident’s Instant Cash Rewards Game with a top prize of $500 and entered a special sweepstakes for a chance to win a $2,500 travel voucher. Sweepstake entries will be accepted through May 31 at both of Provident’s Freehold branch locations, 3514 Route 9 south and 4331 Route 9 north and Pond Road.
From now through June 5, Manalapan area HomeGoods shoppers will have the opportunity to support cancer care and research while shopping at the off-price home fashions chain. More than 180 HomeGoods stores nationwide will be participating in the 10th annual “Help Families Fight Cancer” campaign benefiting the Jimmy Fund, which supports the lifesaving mission of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Customers who would like to support the cause can purchase pin-up cards for $1 each with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting cancer research and care at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Customers can personalize the pin-ups with their name or message, and the cards are prominently displayed in the stores. HomeGoods has a store in the Epicentre, Route 9 south, Manalapan.
Seattle-based Sur La Table, a retailer for creative cooking and artful entertaining, has relocated to a new space in Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Township. Previously situated on the second floor, the new location is on the ground floor near Starbucks at the Center Court. The Freehold store now showcases the newest look of the company’s design evolution. Its French-inspired exterior features wrought iron gating, striped awnings, copper finials and rolling pin door pulls. Inside the store, customers will witness expanded electrics and cutlery sections. The new location also showcases a Thermador cooktop and oven. Free product demonstrations are conducted on Saturdays at 11 a.m. In June, grilling and summer beverages will be celebrated. No reservations required, just walk in.
Dr. Michael J. Greller, Dr. Manuel T. Banzon and Dr. Grigory Goldberg, orthopedic surgeons at Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institutes (AOSMI), Freehold Township and Monroe Township, have been granted medical privileges at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, New Brunswick, giving them the opportunity to offer patients there a comprehensive range of orthopedic services, including surgery.
Retrofitness, a 1980s-themed fitness chain, recently opened a new location in Hamilton Township, Mercer County. The new location is owned and operated by managing partners David Ragosa, Brian Wheeler and Mark Cowan, who also operate Retrofitness locations in Marlboro, Lawrenceville and Southampton, Pa. A fifth franchise location is scheduled to open in Wall Township this summer. Each of the three owners brings more than 20 years of fitness industry experience to the table. Retrofitness founder and CEO Eric Casaburi said each of his gyms is outfitted with more than $400,000 worth of equipment, including cardiovascular equipment, three different types of circuit training and free weights.
Little Jimmy’s Italian Ices and the New York-based All Pro Eating are shivering with excitement and pride as they announce the first Little Jimmy’s National Italian Ice Eating Championship slated to take place on June 19 at Raceway Park, Old Bridge. The competition will take place as part of the 35th annual Snap on Tools Night of Thrills presented by P.C. Richard and Son. In addition to the eating competition, the night will include an array of motorsports events geared toward the whole family, including jet cars blazing down the quarter-mile track at more than 300 mph, wheelstanders, pro mods and monster trucks.
Le Tip of Manalapan, a business networking group, meets at Katy’s Kafe, 460 Route 520, in the A&P shopping center, Route 520, Marlboro, at 7 a.m. every Thursday. Details: 732-890-0885.